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Photograph courtesy of Yes to Yolks

Cold brew has probably powered you through many a summer workday. Unlike regular iced coffee (read: brewed hot and poured over ice), cold brew is made by steeping grounds in cool water for up to 24 hours, a process that makes it smoother and less acidic. Its rich taste makes it perfect for infusing everyday eats with a jolt of bold flavor.

So if you’re just drinking it on the go, you’re missing out on more caffeinated goodness. There are plenty of ways to enjoy this beverage that don't involve sipping it straight-up! Whether you make your own cold brew (it’s not hard—here’s how) or buy the bottled kind, set some aside to try one of these recipes. From refreshing treats to savory marinades, there’s something new for every coffee lover.

Photograph courtesy of Love & Zest

Cold Brew Coffee Overnight Proats

Prep your morning pick-me-up the night before with this genius jarful from Kristina at Love & Zest. Just splash cold brew into a mixture of rolled oats, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla protein powder, and chia seeds, then chill in a mason jar or small bowl in the fridge. The next day, you’ll have a clean, protein-packed breakfast that energizes you and satisfies you till lunch. (Here are 7 more delicious overnight oatmeal recipes for when it’s too hot out to cook.)

This cafe mocha smoothie will delight your taste buds:

Photograph courtesy of Eat the Gains

Baked Spicy Java Wings

Kelly of Eat the Gains uses cold brew to add a kick to the sweet heat of her wing sauce. Rather than use loads of butter or unhealthy preservatives and thickeners, this sauce comes together from coconut oil and aminos, coffee, honey, and plenty of spices. So you can slather it on your chicken—and lick your fingers clean—without regretting one bite.

The java masters at Chameleon Cold-Brew created this three-ingredient slushie using their own vanilla coffee, which you can buy in ready-to-drink bottles or concentrate ($25 for one, amazon.com; $72 for six, chameleoncoldbrew.com). Mix the cold brew with coconut nectar, freeze in a shallow container, and keep fluffing the mixture as it crystallizes. Top it all off with a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, then dig in!

This ultimate breakfast mashup (coffee and donuts!) by Andréa's Protein Cakery packs major protein, thanks to natural chocolate whey protein powder mixed in the batter and icing. Believe it or not, these confections are free of extra sweeteners like white sugar or maple syrup! The only other ingredients you need to make them are mashed banana, cold brew concentrate, cacao and baking powders, and a pinch of salt. (Make sure you follow these 5 rules for buying a legitimately healthy organic protein powder.)

Photograph courtesy of Natalie Paramore

Cold Brew Coffee Steak Marinade

Next time you have a hankering for steak, whisk together this savory marinade by Natalie Paramore. She adds garlic, maple syrup, rosemary, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to cold brew, then lets the meat soak up all those bold flavors. You can even try this blend on chicken or cauliflower steaks if you're not a fan of red meat.

Perk up on a hot afternoon with these cool, caffeinated pops from Molly at Yes to Yolks. To achieve the two-tone look, she fills her molds halfway with a mixture of cold brew plus milk and condensed milk, freezes, and then tops off with more coffee before chilling again. The result: grown-up popsicles good enough to eat at brunch. (These 7 popsicle molds are so fun you'll actually use them!)

Photograph courtesy of Eating Bird Food

Cold Brew Mocha Smoothie

Brittany at Eating Bird Food puts a better-for-you spin on a frappe so you can indulge in the flavors of a mocha for breakfast or post-workout. Her smoothie gets sweetness from medjool dates, creaminess from cold brew and unsweetened vanilla almond milk, plus lots of chocolaty flavor from protein and cacao powders. Sip this, and you'll buzz with energy all morning long.

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